Antiseepage breast device



June 27, 1939. v AH. R. LITTLEHALES l 2,163,792

ANTISEEPAGE BREAST DEVICE Filed Aug. 21, 1957 "'W//W/ /0 F593 INVENTOR Patented June Z7, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to an anti-seepage breast device, More particularly, my invention relates to a rigid dish-shaped device having a centrally positioned protuberance on the concave side, which protuberance is adapted to be applied to a breast to overcome seepage.

Nursing mothers often have difliculty with breast seepage, i. e., galactorrhea. As a result considerable inconvenience results and the clothes or waist may become soiled. Heretofore various means have been employed to overcome this difculty. Rubber means in the form of wide bands across the breast have been employed, but these are exceedingly uncomfortable as well as inconvenient. Shields provided with absorbent means and devices for catching or collecting the seepage have also been suggested. But to all of these there are various objections which have interfered with their use and has introduced complications in connection with the nursing of the infant. Among these objections are particularly the inadequacy of the device to fulfill the desired end and also the fact that all these devices are uncomfortable and inconvenient. Also, their veryv size causes them to be conspicuous or reveal their presence, i. e., be noticeable.

The primary object of my invention is toprovide a breast device which will overcome the various objections above set forth and inherent in the devices heretofore suggested or provided.

Another primary purpose of my invention is to provide a breast device of a concave form in cross section, and having a protuberance centrally positioned for contacting the nipplethe circumferential edges or walls of the concave member to engage the areola portion of the breast, While the protuberance contacts the nipple with suincient pressure to substantially prevent seepage of the milk from the breast.

Another object of my invention is to provide a breast device of such character, size and lightness of weight, as will avoid discomfort to the wearer and not be noticeable under the dress or waist.

The above mentioned general objects of my invention, together with others inherent inthe same, are attained by the device illustrated in the following drawing, the same being preferred eX- emplary forms of embodiment of my invention, throughout which drawing like reference numerals indicate like parts:

Figure 1 is a view of the breast device in perspective embodying my invention;

Fig 2 is a view in cross-section of the same; Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view in cross section of (Cl. 12S-280) Fig. '7 is a view in cross-section of another modi- 10 lied form of my invention.

A dish-shaped member I0, having a protuberance Il centrally positioned on the concave side there-of, is formed from any suitable material which may be given the desired shape. material, such as plaster of Paris or any plastic material may be used, such as Bakelite, vulcanized rubber or those plastics constituting derivatives of cellulose. Porous material, such as plaster of Paris, which is of an absorbent character, has been found to give satisfactory results, but any suitable material may be employed which is found to be' most practical in manufacture and which will be non-irritating to the breast. The material is preferably of a light weight character so that its weight is substantially negligible, so far as the comfort of the wearer is concerned. The height of the protuberance may vary to suit different breasts.

The device may be formed by pressing the same out of a non-co-rroding metal, as for example, aluminum, and might have the form shown in Fig. 7.

The device is preferably of a disk or circular form and of a diameter to engage the portion surrounding the nipple, that is, the areola portion of the breast. Accordingly, the device has the convenience of being of relatively small dimensions and may be maintained in position by any snugly fitting uplifting band or brassire I2. The relatively small size of the device renders the same conveniently held in place by such brassire and does not interfere with the rest of the clothing, and does not become noticeable. 'The small size of the device also provides against discomfort in warm weather, as it avoids any tendency to cause the breast to perspire. It has been found that causing the protuberance Il to engage the nipple with only a slight pressure is sufficient toy cause a closing of the milk ducts and in this way prevent the seepage, and this without discomfort. When the device is removed it will be found that the nipple may be depressed, and it is a matter of a short interval before the nipple resumes its normal form.

Moidable l5 The modiecl form of the invention shown in 10 v herein.

An anti-seepage breast device comprising a rig-y iddish-shaped element having a protub-erance centrally located on the concave side thereof, the circumferential edges of the element being adapted to Contact the areola and the protuberance being adapted tol contact the nipple of the breast of the wearer.

HAZEL R. LITTLEHALES. 

